A federal subject of Russia (an oblast) around St. Petersburg
U.S. President Donald Trump has offered to help end the Russia-Ukraine war in a nearly 90-minute call with Vladimir Putin and has agreed with Volodymyr Zelenskyy to continue negotiations at next week’s NATO summit in Ankara. Ukraine has struck oil and naval facilities near St. Petersburg, and Russia has responded with heavy missile and drone strikes on Kyiv.
Ukraine has intensified long-range strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, with drones hitting St. Petersburg’s oil terminal and nearby port facilities. Officials report no casualties, while Kyiv says the action targets revenue for Moscow’s war. Putin labels energy strikes as not critical.
Gazprom mobilizes volunteer guards for its gas infrastructure, paying 200,000 rubles monthly plus meals and benefits as drone strikes increase. The plan envisions three-year contracts for regional mobilization, with training and safe civilian tasks, while other regions consider similar measures. Ukraine seeks higher pay and longer contracts for foreign volunteers to strengthen front lines amid ongoing drone warfare.
Ukrainian drone strikes and Russia’s wartime economy are pushing Russia toward a prolonged strain. Inflation, higher taxes, and heavy military spending have tightened civilian life, with analysts predicting years of economic hardship ahead.
The conflict in Ukraine has intensified with multiple regional strikes causing civilian casualties. Russia and Ukraine continue long-range attacks, with Ukraine conducting drone operations inside Russia and Russia striking Ukrainian infrastructure and ports. The situation has prompted international concern as casualties mount and both sides press strategic targets.
Drones have entered Latvian airspace prompting NATO fighter jets to intercept. Latvia issued airspace alerts, restricted a nearby sea area, and reported no casualties as the drone wreckage fell in a wooded area. Finland also imposed temporary restrictions in the Baltic region as a precaution amid heightened tensions over the Ukraine war.
The UN confirms July was the deadliest month for Ukrainian civilians since the invasion began, with 437 killed and 2,610 injured. Long-range weapons remain the main cause, and Kyiv calls for more air defences as Ukraine expands long-range strikes against Russian targets.
Russia has launched overnight strikes on Ukraine’s Izmail port infrastructure along the Danube, injuring civilians and damaging a Togo-flagged vessel. Ukraine and Russia report targeting military cargo in the port area; attacks follow a broader wave of drone and missile activity across the region.
The Amur Gas Chemical Complex fire continues to be investigated for safety violations as construction resumes at unaffected facilities. Authorities report that main equipment is undamaged and air quality is monitored, while casualties are confirmed among Chinese and Russian workers.